Method and network efficiency node for increased data throughput in wireless networks

ABSTRACT

A method, computer program and a network efficiency node in a wireless communications network for enabling increased data throughput to a UE, the method comprising: retrieving information of UE configuration data, receiving an indicator of a first channel capability from the UE, determining a first data transport unit size based on the received indicator of the first channel capability, selecting a second channel capability different than the received indicated first channel capability and limited based on the information of the UE configuration data, determining a second data transport unit size based on the selected second channel capability, and transmitting scheduling information to the UE to use the second data transport unit size, thereby enabling increased data throughput.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a method, node and acomputer program performed by a network efficiency node in a wirelesscommunications network for enabling increased data throughput to a UE.

BACKGROUND

There is a desire to optimize and enable as much data throughput aspossible in wireless networks. An increasing variety and usage ofsoftware applications, demands higher data bandwidth. New radio accesstechnologies area evolving, providing increased bandwidth and increaseddata throughput. However, the demand on data throughput from theapplications and services seems infinite. Examples of such applicationsand services are electronic messaging, Internet browsing, socialnetworks, locations services, media and/or multimedia services, softwaremaintenance services.

The costs for wireless networks are increasing, both in terms oftechnology but also in terms of deployment. Wireless networks technologycosts both in terms of capital expenditure (CAPEX) as well as inoperative expenditure (OPEX). Deploying the networks also bringsindirect costs such as getting access to property of radio masts, accessto real estate for mounting of antennas and base equipment. It isfurther a tendency among the general public to limit the amount of radioequipment in the public society.

It is therefore a desire to enable as much data throughput as possibleof the wireless networks. Today the access side of the wireless networkmay be dependent on a UE (User Equipment), that the UE report CSI(Channel State Information), such that the network may adapt the datatransmission link between the network and UE.

A problem in determining the maximal data throughput between the UE andthe access side of a wireless network is that the procedure for thedetermination of the maximal data throughput is not completely accurate.An example is that standards specifying how to determine channel qualityin a LTE-type (Long Term Evolution) of network does give a UE some roomfor interpretation of a perceived channel quality. In some cases itmight be right, but in some cases the UE may determine the channelquality as better as or worse than it is in reality.

Another problem is that UE's from different vendors may have differentbasis or procedures for determination of a certain channel quality, i.e.different UE's may determine the channel quality different based on asimilar measured CQI (Channel Quality Information). Another problem isthat a UE, which report the CSI, may not have the complete informationabout the network environment. Thus the CSI, which may be seen ashistorical data, reported by the UE may not be the only or single bestbasis for determination of the channel quality.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to address at least some of theproblems and issues outlined above. It is possible to achieve theseobjects and others by using a method, node and computer program asdefined in the attached independent claims.

According to one aspect, a method is provided performed by a networkefficiency node in a wireless communications network for enablingincreased data throughput to a UE. The method comprises retrievinginformation of UE configuration data. The method comprises receiving anindicator of a first channel capability from the UE. The methodcomprises determining a first data transport unit size based on thereceived indicator of the first channel capability. The method comprisesselecting a second channel capability different than the receivedindicated first channel capability and limited based on the informationof the UE configuration data. The method comprises determining a seconddata transport unit size based on the selected second channelcapability. The method comprises transmitting scheduling information tothe UE to use the second data transport unit size, thereby enablingincreased data throughput.

It is an advantage to not only measure Channel State Information (CSI)typically measured on the cell-specific reference signals (CRS)transmitted in downlink.

According to another aspect, a network efficiency node in a wirelesscommunications network is provided for enabling increased datathroughput to a UE. The node is configured to retrieve information of UEconfiguration data from an UE database. A communication unit isconfigured to receive an indicator of a first channel capability fromthe UE. A determination unit is configured to determine a first datatransport unit size based on the received indicator of the first channelcapability. A selection unit configured to select a second channelcapability different than the received indicated first channelcapability and limited based on the information of the UE configurationdata. The determination unit configured to determine a second datatransport unit size based on the selected second channel capability. Thecommunication unit configured to transmit scheduling information to theUE to use the second data transport unit size, thereby enablingincreased data throughput.

According to another aspect, a computer program is provided comprisingcomputer readable code means, which when run in a network efficiencynode adopted to enable increased data throughput, causes the networkefficiency node adopted to enable increased data throughput to performthe corresponding method.

The above method, node and computer program may be configured andimplemented according to different optional embodiments. In one possibleembodiment, the indicator of the first channel capability may compriseat least one of: Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), HybridAutomatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback, Channel Quality Information(CQI), Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), and Rank Indicator (RI),wherein the data transport unit size determined by the signal capabilityis in a LTE-network a Transport Block Size (TBS).

In one possible embodiment, a first rank of the Rank Indicator (RI),indicated by the UE, may be override with a second rank, the second rankdifferent than the first rank indicated by the UE. In one possibleembodiment, a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) may be selected suchthat the second data transport unit size is different than the firstdata transport unit size. In one possible embodiment, a predeterminednumber of Acknowledgments (ACK) received from the UE may indicatesuccessful reception of data, wherein the Modulation and Coding Scheme(MCS) may be changed, such that the data transport unit size becomesdifferent than the second data transport unit size.

In one possible embodiment, the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) maybe changed such that a Block Error Rate (BLER) value is maintainedwithin a determined interval. In one possible embodiment, the datatransport unit size may be increased based on, subsequent receivedChannel State Information (CSI) determined as acceptable, or that theBlock Error Rate (BLER) value is maintained within a determinedinterval.

In case where the UE is maintaining its BLER target and the second datatransport unit size is larger than what the first data transport unitsize can support, the network efficiency node keeps using the secondrank. The network efficiency node may even exploit the continuous/newCSI sent by the UE to let the outer loop converge faster if desired.That might be useful in case second data transport unit size was notaggressive enough, e.g. due to large gains from reducing transmissionpower in neighbor cells not captured by the UE's CSI. This may be afaster way to step by step increase the data transport unit size,compared to increase the data transport unit size based on received“ACK”-messages.

In one possible embodiment, a second data transport unit size may bedetermined which is larger than the first data transport unit size whenan indicator of channel quality is above a predetermined threshold byoverriding the first rank, and a second data transport unit size may bedetermined which is smaller than the first data transport unit size whenthe indicator of channel quality is below a predetermined threshold byoverriding the first rank.

In one possible embodiment, the first data transport unit size based onthe received indicator of the first channel capability may be selected,and an instruction may be transmitted to the UE to use the first datatransport unit size, when receiving a number of Not Acknowledges (NACK)from the UE over a determined time period indicating reception failureof data from the UE (140). In one possible embodiment, the solution maybe performed in coordination with reduction of transmission power in aneighboring cell.

In one possible embodiment, the determination of the second datatransport unit size may be dependent on the reduction of the oftransmission power in a neighboring cell.

In order to fully capture the benefits of muting the neighbor cells, itmay be advantageous to estimate the correct rank of the UE, i.e. checkif the UE is able to support a higher rank due to reduction oftransmission power in the neighbor cell.

Even if a UE reports the correct CSI, some base station algorithms havea behavior that can be missed by the CSI reported by the UE. Forinstance, in a centralized deployment, i.e. co-located digital unitswith centralized processing, the network might decide to reducetransmission power downlink in one or several cells in order to improvethe performance in other cells. Such a decision of reduction oftransmission power may be taken after the UE has measured CSI, thereforemay the reduction never be captured by the UE. Therefore it may be anadvantage to perform override. Another example is such cases, the rankreported by the UE in the non-reduced cell will not capture the impactof reduction the neighbor cells since CRS is still transmitted even if acell is reduced.

Further possible features and benefits of this solution will becomeapparent from the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplaryembodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the solution, according to somepossible embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure in a network efficiencynode, according to some possible embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure in a network efficiencynode, according to further possible embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates further embodiments of a network efficiency node.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the solution in a networkscenario, according to further possible embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of when thesolution is used, according to possible embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Briefly described, a solution is provided to enable higher throughput ofdata in wireless networks, for example in the access environment inmobile telephony and data networks such as but not limited to, GSM,WCDMA, LTE, or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networks), WiMAX networks(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). A UE (User Equipment)may report a channel capability of the network, where the channelcapability may include a rank. The rank refers to the maximum number ofparallel channels that can be supported on the same radio resources overa radio link. The number of antennas may limit the number of supportedchannels and the rank may indicate the number of supported channels.Sometimes the reported rank, or the potential rank, may beunderestimated by a UE. The rank reported by the UE may be overriddenwith a different rank by a network efficiency node, such the more datamay be transmitted to the UE. In some cases, the rank reported by the UEmay be the optimal. In some cases, where a UE has two or four antennasand therefore supporting theoretically two or four channels, thereported rank may be too low and therefore not fully utilizing theaccess capacity between a base station and a UE. The reported rank mayalso be too high, which causes re-transmissions and unnecessary load onthe network. The access side or central part of the network maysometimes be in a better position to optimize the data throughput,compared to the UE.

Proactive actions may also be taken from the network side, to optimizethe throughput, actions which the UE not may be capable to perform.

For example, in centralized radio access network (GRAN) deployments,which are gaining in popularity due to the flexibility that GRAN mayprovide and the more advanced algorithms GRAN may support. A popularfeature that may be enabled or facilitated by GRAN deployments iscoordinated scheduling. In all simplicity, coordinated scheduling meansthat the scheduling of users in several cells may be coordinated, e.g.performed jointly, in order to maximize, e.g. total system throughput orcell-edge throughput. One of the simplest implementations of coordinatedscheduling is dynamic point blanking, or muting. In such animplementation, a cell that generates too high interference to users inone or several neighbor cells may be occasionally muted in order todecrease the interference in the neighbor cells and thereby potentiallyincrease their throughput.

Coordinated scheduling may be implemented on cells belonging to the samedigitalization unit, or cells from different digitalization units wherethe digital units are interconnected. An example, in a scenario whereradio units may be remotely located, the radio units may be connected tocentrally located digitalization units. Radio unit may also be describedwith the term remote radio unit, or base band unit, not limiting thisdescription to use of other terms.

A challenge today with coordinated scheduling may be capturing of theimprovement of channel quality when neighbor cells, also denotedaggressor, are muted. If such improvements are not captured, benefits ofmuting may not be fully utilized. The herein suggested solution solvessome of the challenges with coordinated scheduling.

Link adaptation, through the outer loop, may compensate for a toopessimistic CQI, i.e. if/when the CQI reported by the UE does notcapture the improvement due to muting a neighbor cell. However, aparameter that can not be compensated for by the outer loop is the rank.The rank refers to the maximum number of parallel channels that can besupported over a radio link. The rank takes into account not only thechannel quality but also the number of antennas at the transmitting andreceiving sides. If a too low rank is reported, e.g. rank one instead ofrank two, the throughput loss may be up to 50%. That is a reason why itmay be desirable to find a method to suitable override the rank reportedby the UE.

Below the solution will be described in more detail, starting withFIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of thesolution, with a network efficiency node 100, a base station 130 whichmay comprise the network efficiency node 100, a UE 140, a UE database150 for storage of UE configuration data. The network efficiency node100 may comprise a determination unit 110 for e.g. determination of thesize of a data transport unit size, a selection unit 120 for e.g.selection of channel capabilities, and a communication unit 160 for e.g.communication with the UE 140.

According to an embodiment a method is provided, performed by a networkefficiency node 100 in a wireless communications network for enablingincreased data throughput to a UE 140. FIG. 2 shows a flowchartillustrating the method. The method comprises retrieving information A1in a step S100 of UE 140 configuration data. The method comprisesreceiving A2 in a step S110 an indicator of a first channel capabilityfrom the UE 140. The method comprises determining A3 in a step S120 afirst data transport unit size based on the received indicator of thefirst channel capability. The method comprises selecting A4 in a stepS130 a second channel capability different than the received indicatedfirst channel capability and limited based on the information of the UE140 configuration data. The method comprises determining A5 in a stepS140 a second data transport unit size based on the selected secondchannel capability. The method comprises transmitting A6 in a step S150scheduling information to the UE 140 to use the second data transportunit size, thereby enabling increased data throughput.

UE configuration data may be stored in the UE database 150. The UEconfiguration data may be captured at a hand over from a neighboringcell, or at activation of a UE 140. The UE configuration data mayinclude information about how many antennas a UE has, as well as otherinformation related to how the UE 140 is configured and itscapabilities, e.g. the number of antennas may indicate how many channelsthat may be supported. The received indicator of the first channelcapability may include a UE 140 measured signal quality and the UE 140may have determined based on the measured signal quality, a suitablechannel capability for data transmission.

Based on the indicated first channel capability, it may be determinedwhich is an appropriate first data transport unit size. According to theUE configuration information, the UE 140 may have a different channelcapability. The indicated first channel capability may be overridden byselection of a second channel capability. That second channel capabilitymay then be the basis for determination of a second data transport unitsize. Scheduling information about using the second transport unit sizemay be transmitted to the UE 140. By overriding the UEs 140 firstchannel capability by a second channel capability, based on theknowledge that the UE 140 is configured for a different capability, andpotentially may be able to utilize that different channel capability, itmay be possible to increase the data throughput to the UE 140.

Non limiting examples of a base station 130 may be, a base station in aGSM network (Global System for Mobile Communications), a base station ina UMTS network (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), an eNB in aLTE network, a WiFi access point in a WLAN (Wireless Local AreaNetwork), a base station in a WiMAX network.

A UE 140, may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA (Portable DigitalAssistant), a laptop computer, a stationary computer, a tablet computer,a data access device suitable for connection with a computer such as aUSB modem (Universal Serial Bus) and similar, not limiting to similardevices suitable for communication.

Now looking at FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a procedurein a network efficiency node 100, according to further possibleembodiments. Procedure steps in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 with the samereference numbers indicates similar activities or actions.

Retrieval of configuration information about the UE 140 may be carriedout in a few different ways. A few examples: If the UE 140 is turned onin the cell, it may register to the network, and as part of theregistration provide its configuration. If the UE 140 is coming from aneighboring cell, the configuration information about the UE 140, may beprovided as part of the hand over procedure. The UE 140 configurationmay be acquired at connection set-up.

In an embodiment of the solution, the indicator of the first channelcapability may comprise at least one of: Reference Signal Received Power(RSRP), Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback, Channel QualityInformation (CQI), Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), and Rank Indicator(RI). When the method is performed in a LTE-network, the data transportunit size may correspond to a Transport Block Size (TBS).

The data transport unit size may in different types of networkscorrespond particular terms used in the various networks.

In an embodiment of the solution, the rank given by the Rank Indicator(RI) indicated by the UE (140), may be overridden S125 with a secondrank, where the second rank is different than the first rank. An exampleaccording to the following. The UE configuration data indicates that theUE has two antennas and thereby should be capable of communication overtwo channels. The UE 140 may have indicated a channel capability of rankone, i.e. communication via one channel. However, this may be overriddenby a rank two, because the UE is configured for supporting rank two andpotentially a higher data throughput may be achieved by transmissionover two channels. Examples of reasons for of the rank indicated by theUE 140 may be, pessimistic or robust channel quality estimation due tomeasurement error, not limiting other reasons for overriding the rank.

Another example is where the rank indicated by the UE 140 is rank two,and may be overridden by rank one. In this example the UE 140 may beoptimistic or other reasons for overriding the first rank with a secondrank which is lower.

In this description the term override is used, but override may also bedenoted omit, overrule, overturn, supersede, etc, not limiting othersimilar terms to be used.

In an embodiment of the solution a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS)may be selected such that the second data transport unit size isdifferent than the first data transport unit size. Theoretically thedata transport unit size could be doubled, if a first rank is rank oneand is override by a second rank which is rank two. In a case where theindicated first rank is one and the override second rank is two, a moreconservative approach may be to select a MCS which provides a seconddata transport unit size which is slightly larger than the first datatransport unit size. A similar procedure may be applied when overridinga rank two with rank one.

In an embodiment of the solution a predetermined number ofAcknowledgment (ACK) may be received S155 from the UE 140, where theACK's may be indicating successful reception of data. The ACK's may beindicating that the second data transport unit size was useful and notover optimistic. As a subsequent step, the Modulation and Coding Scheme(MCS) may be changed S160, such that the data transport unit sizebecomes larger than the second data transport unit size. The Modulationand Coding Scheme (MCS) may also be changed, such that the datatransport unit size becomes smaller than the second data transport unitsize.

By sequentially receiving ACK's from the UE 140 and gradually changingthe Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) in combination with the secondrank, such that the data transport unit size gradually changes, it ispossible to optimize the data throughput.

In an embodiment of the solution the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS)in combination with the second rank may be changed such that a BlockError Rate (BLER) value is maintained within a determined interval. Anexample is, as long as the BLER is within the determined interval, thedata transport unit size may be gradually increased. If the BLER isoutside the determined interval, the data transport unit size may begradually decreased, until within the acceptable BLER interval. If thedata transport unit size is gradually decreased, the solution mayperform comparison and evaluate if the second rank is beneficial.

In an embodiment of the solution the data transport unit size may beincreased based on, subsequent received S165 Channel Quality Information(CQI) determined as acceptable. The data transport unit size may also beincreased based on that the BLER value is maintained within a determinedinterval. The data transport unit size may be increased in subsequentsteps, in order to transmit as much data as possible to the UE 140,adopting the increase S170 size of the steps such that the CSI or BLERnot becomes completely unacceptable between two steps.

In an embodiment of the solution a second data transport unit size maybe determined which is larger than the first data transport unit sizewhen an indicator of channel quality is above a predetermined thresholdby overriding the first rank. When the indicator of channel quality isbelow a predetermined threshold, a second data transport unit size maybe determined which is smaller than the first data transport unit sizeby overriding the first rank.

The channel quality may be measured in different ways, or indicated bydifferent parameters. A few non-limiting examples are: Signal to Noiseplus Interference (SNIR), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP),Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), or similar quality parameters.

In an embodiment of the solution, a number of Not Acknowledges (NACK)received S175 from the UE 140 over a determined time period may indicatefailure reception of data from the UE 140. Then the first data transportunit size based on the received indicator of the first channelcapability may be selected S180. Further, an instruction may betransmitted to the UE 140 to use the first data transport unit size.

There are situations when the data transport unit size may need to bedecreased. A non-limiting example is that the increase of data transportunit size may be too aggressive or optimistic. Another example is thatthe received indicator of the first channel capability was correct, e.g.because of correct measurements of the channel capability by the UE 140.In a situation when a second channel capability is selected, with a datatransport unit size which is larger than the first determined datatransport unit size, the larger data transport unit size may cause theUE 140 to respond with a NACK indicating failure in the data reception.If a NACK is received, that may indicate that the first data transportunit size based on the received indicator of the first channelcapability should be selected. If a number of NACK's during a determinedtime period is received, that may indicate that the first data transportunit size based on the received indicator of the first channelcapability should be selected.

In an embodiment of the solution, the method may be performed incoordination S185 with reduction of transmission power in a neighboringcell. An example is where normal transmission power is used in twoneighboring cells. Two UE's 140 may have similar need pattern of data.However, if the first of the two UE's 140 starts to download a largefile, the transmission power in the neighboring cell to the second UE140 may interfere with the instantaneous increased bandwidth of thefirst UE 140 downloading the large file. By temporarily muting theneighboring cell, by reducing the transmission power from a base station130, the rank reported by the first UE 140 successfully may beoverridden.

In an embodiment of the solution the second data transport unit size maybe determined based on the reduction of the of transmission power in theneighboring cell. The increase of data transport unit size may bedepending on the reduction of the transmission power. By a determinedreduction of the transmission power in one cell, the level ofinterference in the neighboring cell may be reduced to a level, whichtolerates a certain increase of the data transport unit size.

A non limiting example illustrating embodiments in a LTE-networkscenario may be described according to the following. In a first step aneNB, such as the base station 130, may receive a CSI from the UE, suchas the UE 140. This CSI, in addition to HARQ feedback (Hybrid AutomaticRepeat reQuest), may both be used to perform link adaptation, i.e.selecting the TBS, meaning the number of bits to transmit to the UE andthe allocation size in terms of PRB (Physical Resource Blocks). In thisexample, let TBS1 represent the TBS obtained when the eNB uses the CSI,including the rank, reported by the UE. For the sake of illustration,assume that a decision was to allocate 20 PRBs to that UE with an MCS of19. In this example that would result in a TBS of 9912 bits.

In case the reported rank was equal to two, the eNB may not attempt anyoverride. Of course override may be possible to attempt if rank onewould be more beneficial than rank two.

Further according to this example—In a second step, in case the UEreported rank one, the eNB may override the rank one reported by the UEby using rank two and adjust the MCS accordingly. Using the same numberof PRBs from the first step, the link adaptation algorithm has the taskto choose a TBS2 that is larger than TBS1. In order to not be veryaggressive, the eNB selects the smallest TBS that is still larger thanTBS1.

Using the example above, the goal is to find TBS2 larger than 9112 bits.Now since rank two is used, two code-words of equal size aretransmitted. This means that a codeword should be larger than9112/2=4956 bits. Assuming 20 PRBs are used, the smallest TBS that islarger than 4956 bits is equal to 5160 bits and requires an MCS of 12.This means that TBS2=10320 bits. This way, the goal of the rank overridewas achieved through having a larger TBS when using rank two, comparedto when using rank one, while using the most possible robust yet highenough MCS.

In a third step, the eNB will inform the UE of the rank and modulationand coding scheme to use.

In a fourth step, in this example, having done rank override andinstructed the UE to use rank two and the updated MCS, the eNB needs tomake sure that its choice of rank override is feasible, otherwise it hasto fall back to the rank reported by the UE. This may be done by usingthe updated rank, potentially with adjusted MCS based on e.g. outerloop, for a number of transmissions and potentially checking at leastone of the following two aspects: is the UE able to maintain its BLERtarget, and/or did outer loop perform too many down adjustments suchthat the TBS2 is now smaller than what TBS1 can achieve. In case the UEis maintaining its BLER target and its TBS2 is larger than what TBS1 cansupport, the eNB keeps using rank 2. The eNB can even exploit thecontinuous/new CSI sent by the UE to let the outer loop converge fasterif desired. That might be useful in case TBS2 was not aggressive enough,e.g. due to large gains from muting not captured by the UE's CSI. Thisis just an illustrative example of how the solution may be used in anetwork access scenario and not limiting other examples of how thesolution may be used.

In a case where the indicator of the first channel capability, reportedby the UE 140, indicates that the UE 140 has reported the highest rankthe UE 140 supports, the network efficiency node 100 may not attempt anyoverride. I.e. if rank two is indicated and the UE 140 has two antennas,the network efficiency node 100 may not override with a higher rank.

Now looking at FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates further embodiments of anetwork efficiency node. The figure shows the previously mentioneddetermination unit 110, selection unit 120, UE database 150,communication unit 160 and a processor 250 for processing computerprogram and a memory for storing computer program.

According to an embodiment, the network efficiency node 100 is arrangedin a wireless communications network for enabling increased datathroughput to a UE 140. The node is configured to retrieve informationof UE configuration data from an UE database 150. A communication unit160 is configured to receive an indicator of a first channel capabilityfrom the UE 140. A determination unit 110 is configured to determine afirst data transport unit size based on the received indicator of thefirst channel capability. A selection unit 120 is configured to select asecond channel capability different than the received indicated firstchannel capability and limited based on the information of the UEconfiguration data. The determination unit 110 is configured todetermine a second data transport unit size based on the selected secondchannel capability. The communication unit 160 is configured to transmitscheduling information to the UE 140 to use the second data transportunit size, thereby enabling increased data throughput.

In an embodiment, the indicator of the first channel capability receivedby the network efficiency node 100 may comprise at least one of:Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) , Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request(HARQ) feedback, Channel Quality Information (CQI), Precoding MatrixIndicator (PMI), and Rank Indicator (RI). The data transport unit sizewhich may be determined by the signal capability may be in a LTE-networka Transport Block Size (TBS).

In an embodiment, the network efficiency node 100 may be arranged tooverride a first rank of the Rank Indicator (RI), indicated by the UE140, with a second rank, where the second rank may be different than thefirst rank indicated by the UE 140.

In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arranged to selecta Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) such that the second data transportunit size may be different than the first data transport unit size.

In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arranged to receivea predetermined number of Acknowledgment (ACK), or ACK-messages from theUE 140. The ACKs may indicate successful reception of data. The networkefficiency node 100 may further be arranged to change the Modulation andCoding Scheme (MCS) in combination with the second rank, such that thedata transport unit size becomes different than the second datatransport unit size.

In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arranged to changethe Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) in combination with the secondrank, such that a Block Error Rate (BLER) value is maintained within adetermined interval.

In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arranged toincrease the data transport unit size based on subsequent receivedChannel State Information (CSI) determined as acceptable, and/or thenetwork efficiency node 100 may be arranged to increase the datatransport unit size based on the Block Error Rate (BLER) valuemaintained within a determined interval.

In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arranged todetermine a second data transport unit size which is larger than thefirst data transport unit size, when an indicator of channel quality isabove a predetermined threshold by overriding the first rank. Thenetwork efficiency node 100 may also be arranged to determine a seconddata transport unit size which is smaller than the first data transportunit size, when the indicator of channel quality is below apredetermined threshold by overriding the first rank.

In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arranged to receivea number of Not Acknowledge (NACK) from the UE 140 over a determinedtime period indicating failure reception of data from the UE 140. WhenNACKs are received the first data transport unit size based on thereceived indicator of the first channel capability may be selected, andthe node may be arranged to transmit an instruction to the UE 140 to usethe first data transport unit size.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram illustrating the solution in a networkscenario. In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arrangedto operate in coordination with reduction of transmission power in aneighboring cell.

In an embodiment, network efficiency node 100 may be arranged todetermine the second data transport unit size dependent on the reductionof the of transmission power in the neighboring cell.

An illustrating example, not limiting the solution from being used inother ways, may be a scenario where UE 140:A and UE 140:B are registeredin different cells to respective base station 130:A and base station130:B. The both UEs 140 may be receiving the similar amount of data in afirst step. In a second step one of the UEs, for example the UE 140:Awould benefit of a temporarily increase of the bandwidth. The UE 140:Amay for example request to download a large e-mail, a photo, a movie, orany other kind of bandwidth consuming data. To serve the UE 140:A withthe necessary bandwidth, the base station 130:B may reduce thetransmission power, for example to UE 140:B. Thereby may lessinterference affect the transmission from the base station 130:A to theUE 140:A.

FIG. 5 is further showing a centralized network function 200. Thecentralized network function 200 may be an operator's network managementcenter, or a cloud based type of service, or a core network nodeincluding centralized digital units as well as network managementfunctions. As the figure shows, the network efficiency node 100 may becomprised by a Mobility Management Entity 210 (MME), or just inconnection with a MME 210. The MME 210 is just an example. Othermanagement nodes may as well be used, as preferred by the person skilledin the art.

FIG. 4 that shows the network efficiency node 100 described above may beimplemented, by means of program modules of a computer programcomprising code means which, when run by processor “P” 250 causes thenetwork efficiency node 100 to perform the above-described actions. Theprocessor P 250 may comprise a single Central Processing Unit (CPU), orcould comprise two or more processing units. For example, the processorP 250 may include general purpose microprocessors, instruction setprocessors and/or related chips sets and/or special purposemicroprocessors such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits(ASICs). The processor P 250 may also comprise a storage for cachingpurposes.

The computer program may be carried by a computer program product “M”260 in the Network efficiency node 100, shown in FIG. 1, 4, 5 et al, inthe form of memories having a computer readable medium and beingconnected to the processor P. The computer program product M 260 ormemory thus comprises a computer readable medium on which the computerprogram is stored e.g. in the form of computer program modules “m”. Forexample, the memory M 260 may be a flash memory, a Random-Access Memory(RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM) or an Electrically Erasable ProgrammableROM (EEPROM), and the program modules m could in alternative embodimentsbe distributed on different computer program products in the form ofmemories within the network efficiency node 100.

FIG. 6 shows a signaling diagram, which illustrates examples of internalactions within a network efficiency node 100, and/or communication andmessages between a network efficiency node 100 and a UE 140.

In an embodiment information may be retrieved in action A1 of UE 140configuration data. In action A2 an indicator of a first channelcapability may be received from the UE 140. In action A3 a first datatransport unit size may be determined based on the received indicator ofthe first channel capability. In action A4 a second channel capabilitydifferent than the received indicated first channel capability may beselected and limited based on the information of the UE 140configuration data. In action A5 a second data transport unit size maybe determined based on the selected second channel capability.

In action A6 scheduling information may be transmitted to the UE 140 touse the second data transport unit size. In action A7 the first rank maybe override with a second rank. In action A8 the network efficiency node100 may receive “ACK” from the UE 140 confirming successful reception ofdata. In A9 the MCS (Modulation and Coding Schema) may be changed, suchthat the MCS in combination with the second rank provides a differenttransport unit size. In action A10 the scheduling information may betransmitted to the UE 140 to use the different transport unit size.

In action A11 a “NACK” may be received from the UE 140, indicatingunsuccessful reception of data. In action A12 the first transport unitsize may be selected by the network efficiency node 100, based on thereceived indicator of the first channel capability. In action A13 aninstruction may be transmitted use the first transport unit size fromthe network efficiency node 100 to the UE140.

While the solution has been described with reference to specificexemplary embodiments, the description is generally only intended toillustrate the inventive concept and should not be taken as limiting thescope of the solution. For example, the terms “network efficiency node”,“data transport unit size” and “override” have been used throughout thisdescription, although any other corresponding nodes, functions, and/orparameters could also be used having the features and characteristicsdescribed here. The solution is defined by the appended claims.

1. A method performed by a network efficiency node in a wirelesscommunications network for enabling increased data throughput to a UE,the method comprising: retrieving information of UE configuration data;receiving an indicator of a first channel capability from the UE;determining a first data transport unit size based on the receivedindicator of the first channel capability; selecting a second channelcapability different than the received indicated first channelcapability and limited based on the information of the UE configurationdata; determining a second data transport unit size based on theselected second channel capability; and transmitting schedulinginformation to the UE to use the second data transport unit size,thereby enabling increased data throughput.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the indicator of the first channel capability comprisesRank Indicator (RI) and optionally at least one of: Reference SignalReceived Power (RSRP), Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback,Channel Quality Information (CQI), and Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI),wherein the data transport unit size determined by the signal capabilityis in a LTE-network a Transport Block Size (TBS).
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, comprising overriding a first rank of the RankIndicator (RI), indicated by the UE, with a second rank, the second rankdifferent than the first rank indicated by the UE.
 4. The methodaccording to any of claim 1, wherein a Modulation and Coding Scheme(MCS) is selected such that the second data transport unit size isdifferent than the first data transport unit size.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, comprising receiving a predetermined number ofAcknowledgments (ACK) from the UE indicating successful reception ofdata, wherein the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) is changed, suchthat the data transport unit size becomes different than the second datatransport unit size.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein theModulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) is changed such that a Block ErrorRate (BLER) value is maintained within a determined interval.
 7. Themethod according to any of claim 1, wherein the data transport unit sizeis increased based on, subsequent received Channel State Information(CSI) determined as acceptable, or the Block Error Rate (BLER) value ismaintained within a determined interval.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, comprising determining a second data transport unit size whichis larger than the first data transport unit size when an indicator ofchannel quality is above a predetermined threshold by overriding thefirst rank, and determining a second data transport unit size which issmaller than the first data transport unit size when the indicator ofchannel quality is below a predetermined threshold by overriding thefirst rank.
 9. The method according to any of claim 1, wherein the firstdata transport unit size based on the received indicator of the firstchannel capability is selected, and an instruction is transmitted to theUE to use the first data transport unit size, when receiving a number ofNot Acknowledges (NACK) from the UE over a determined time periodindicating reception failure of data from the UE.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the method is performed in coordinationwith reduction of transmission power in a neighboring cell.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the seconddata transport unit size is dependent on the reduction of the oftransmission power in a neighbouring cell.
 12. A network efficiency nodein a wireless communications network for enabling increased datathroughput to a UE, the node comprising: at least one processor; andmemory containing instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the network efficiency node to retrieve information of UEconfiguration data from a UE database and to implement: a communicationunit configured to receive an indicator of a first channel capabilityfrom the UE, a determination unit configured to determine a first datatransport unit size based on the received indicator of the first channelcapability, a selection unit configured to select a second channelcapability different than the received indicated first channelcapability and limited based on the information of the UE configurationdata, the determination unit configured to determine a second datatransport unit size based on the selected second channel capability, andthe communication unit configured to transmit scheduling information tothe UE to use the second data transport unit size, thereby enablingincreased data throughput.
 13. The node according to claim 12, whereinthe indicator of the first channel capability comprises at least one of:Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) , Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request(HARQ) feedback, Channel Quality Information (CQI), Precoding MatrixIndicator (PMI), and Rank Indicator (RI), wherein the data transportunit size determined by the signal capability is in a LTE-network aTransport Block Size (TBS).
 14. The node according to claim 13, whereinthe node is arranged to override a first rank of the Rank Indicator(RI), indicated by the UE, with a second rank, the second rank differentthan the first rank indicated by the UE.
 15. The node according to claim12, wherein the node is arranged to selected a Modulation and CodingScheme (MCS) such that the second data transport unit size is differentthan the first data transport unit size.
 16. The node according to claim12, wherein the node is arranged to receive a predetermined number ofAcknowledgments (ACK) from the UE (140) indicating successful receptionof data, wherein the node is arranged to change the Modulation andCoding Scheme (MCS), such that the data transport unit size becomesdifferent than the second data transport unit size.
 17. The nodeaccording to claim 12, wherein the node is arranged to change theModulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), such that a Block Error Rate (BLER)value is maintained within a determined interval.
 18. The node accordingto claim 12, wherein the node is arranged to increase the data transportunit size is based on subsequent received Channel State Information(CSI) determined as acceptable, or the Block Error Rate (BLER) valuemaintained within a determined interval.
 19. The node according to claim12, wherein the node is arranged to determine a second data transportunit size which is larger than the first data transport unit size whenan indicator of channel quality is above a predetermined threshold byoverriding the first rank, and the node is arranged to determine asecond data transport unit size which is smaller than the first datatransport unit size when the indicator of channel quality is below apredetermined threshold by overriding the first rank.
 20. The nodeaccording to claim 12, wherein the node is arranged to select the firstdata transport unit size based on the received indicator of the firstchannel capability, and the node is arranged to transmit an instructionto the UE to use the first data transport unit size, when the nodereceives a number of Not Acknowledges (NACK) from the UE over adetermined time period indicating reception failure of data from the UE.21. The node according to claim 12, wherein the node is arranged tooperate in coordination with reduction of transmission power in aneighbouring cell.
 22. The node according to claim 12, wherein the nodeis arranged to determine the second data transport unit size dependenton the reduction of the of transmission power in a neighbouring cell.23. A computer program, comprising computer readable code means, whichwhen run in a network efficiency node adopted to enable increased datathroughput, causes the network efficiency node adopted to enableincreased data throughput to perform the method comprising: retrievinginformation of UE configuration data; receiving an indicator of a firstchannel capability from the UE; determining a first data transport unitsize based on the received indicator of the first channel capability;selecting a second channel capability different than the receivedindicated first channel capability and limited based on the informationof the UE configuration data; determining a second data transport unitsize based on the selected second channel capability; and transmittingscheduling information to the UE to use the second data transport unitsize, thereby enabling increased data throughput.
 24. (canceled)